Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This is where you meet Uganda’s mountain gorillas!
But there’s much more to discover at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: peaceful lakes, volcano hikes, and local culture. Take your time to explore this stunning region.

1. Things to do
2. Tips for your gorilla trekking day
3. To: Queen Elizabeth National Park
4. To: Ishasha
5. To: Kigali (Rwanda)
6. To: Lake Mburo
7. To: Rukungiri
8. Landscape around Lake Mutanda

Swim, paddle, sail, or just relax at Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda is clean and safe for swimming. From Mutanda Lake Resort, you can:

• Go Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
• Try paddling a traditional dugout canoe (it’s harder than it looks!)
• Sail across the lake
• Enjoy a sunset cruise by motorboat

Explore on foot or with a guide

• Take a guided birdwatching tour or visit a local village
• The area around the lake is also safe to explore on your own — perfect for a walk or jog

Want a day trip?
Drive 2 hours to Mgahinga National Park and:

• Hike up the Virunga Volcanoes
• Track the rare Golden Monkeys, one of 20 primate species in Uganda

Your day starts before sunrise

• Bring a packed breakfast and lunch
• You’ll drive in early morning light to the start point

Trekking starts early — usually at 8:30 AM

• If you’re staying at Mutanda Lake Resort, your trekking point is likely Nkuringo or Rushaga
• It’s a 90-minute drive on dirt roads. Ask your lodge about road conditions the day before, as this can affect your travel time.

How long will it take?

• Spotting gorillas can take 1 to 5 hours, depending on where they were last seen
• Once you find a group, you get 1 hour with them. The one-hour cap is there to protect the gorillas and prevent them from becoming habituated to human interaction

Go at your own pace

• The 1-hour countdown only starts when everyone in the group has arrived
• So take your time, there is no need to feel rushed!

Extra tips for a better gorilla trekking experience: 

• Wear long-sleeved clothes
• Wear good walking/hiking shoes with high socks
• Carry a waterproof jacket or poncho, sunscreen, enough drinking water, and a packed lunch (or snacks)
• You can use insect repellent beforehand, but you are not allowed to bring or use the repellent during the trek
• Pack a facemask (mandatory to wear once you are with the gorillas)
• Grab a walking stick at the beginning of the trek
• Share contact information with fellow trackers to exchange pictures afterwards. This allows you to be more present in the moment instead of focusing on your camera. 
• You can hire a porter to carry your backpack. It’s not a must, but it’s a great way to support the local community.
• A tip for the rangers and porters is highly appreciated.

Approx. 7 hours | 300 km

Plan for a full day of travel to reach Queen Elizabeth.

Don’t follow Google Maps’ shortcut via Muko. It’s not faster, just bumpier.
Instead:

• First, set your route to Kisoro, it’s a stunning dirt road drive
• In Kisoro, join the main highway to Kabale
• Continue to Ntungamo, then branch off towards Ishaka
• From Ishaka, the road is smooth tarmac all the way

Fuel & cash: Available in Kisoro and Kabale. 
Your last fuel stop before entering Queen Elizabeth NP is Ishaka.

Lunch stop: The Gathering Place or Safari Diners Choma Restaurant. 

Tip: Search Kyansama Viewpoint on Google Maps for a beautiful view over the park.

Approx. 6.5 hours | 179 km

Don’t follow Google Maps’ shortcut via Muko. It’s not faster, just bumpier.
Instead:

• First, set your route to Kisoro, it’s a stunning dirt road drive
• In Kisoro, join the main highway to Kabale
• After ~15 km, branch off at Rubanda and drive towards Kihihi

There are multiple routes from Bwindi to Ishasha. As road and weather conditions can change overnight, we advise you to ask your lodge for the latest info on road conditions.

Approx. 4.5 hours | 144 km

Cross into Rwanda at the Cyanika border.

Once in Rwanda, remember to:

• Drive on the right side of the road
• Stick to the speed limit: 60 km/h on highways

Approx. 7 hours | 319 km

Google Maps may direct you from Mutanda straight to Muko town via back roads. Ignore this shortcut, as it might be the shortest route in distance but not in travel time.
Instead:

• Set your route to Kisoro, it’s a stunning dirt road drive
• In Kisoro, join the main highway to Kabale

Fuel & ATMs: Available in Kisoro, Kabale, and Mbarara

Lunch stop options: The Gathering Place or Safari Diners Choma Restaurant in Kabale. The Rolex Booth in Mbarara. 

Approx. 6 hours | 210 km

Plan for a full day of travel to reach Rukungiri.

Don’t follow Google Maps’ shortcut via Muko. It’s not faster, just bumpier.
Instead:

• First, set your route to Kisoro, it’s a stunning dirt road drive
• In Kisoro, join the main highway to Kabale
• Continue to Ntungamo
• From Ntungamo, follow the road to Rukungiri

Fuel & cash: Available in Kisoro and Kabale. There is a fuel station in Rukungiri, but because it is a very small town, don’t rely on it. 

Lunch stop: The Gathering Place or Safari Diners Choma Restaurant. 

Tip: Search Kyansama Viewpoint on Google Maps for a beautiful view over the park.